The FastDay Forum

Hello all,

I was never an overeater until I started working in an office when I was 18. Ten years on and I'm still terrible for boredom eating! It first started, however, when I'd get nervous and my levels (not sure if sugar or bp, lightheaded, feeling of not-there-ness, anxiousness) would drop, so I'd eat something. So now I pretty much snack all day out of habit!!

So to counter this, I cycle to work, which is about 5-6 miles each way. I'm fasting because I want to boost a bit of weight loss for the summer, and also see if it improves my IBS. I'm on day one though, and I'm already feeling a little dizzy (I've had about 300 cals steadily through the day) but have nothing to boost me for my cycle home, which is in turn making me feel anxious!

Anyone got any tips for carrying on with normal exercise routine? eg what to have a nibble of before setting off home? I'm totally fine in the morning and didn't need to eat until past 10am

Kat

I never eat before exercise, I guess it depends how much fat you're carrying - I have enough to go 10 miles on a bike.

Coffee or strong tea, if it won't keep you awake at night.

Otherwise an apple, which provides energy and is filling, but won't spike your blood sugar.

you shouldn't need any fuel for your ride home. I do 13 miles each way on my bike and yesterday was my first fast, I only had a banana and an apple while at work and even with a big headwind I had enough energy to do the ride. 5-6miles will be about 300 calories.

I did a 4 mile run before breakfast this morning and yesterday was a fast day, I think you'll do better fat burning wise if you don't eat before exercise. Did you see Dr M's 'the truth about exercise' documentary, it suggested that exercise before food can limit the amount of fat that enters the blood stream.

A 5-6 mile bike ride (dependent on intensity, of course) will burn 200-400 calories so be careful not to consume the calories you'll be burning before you start. On the other hand cycling is so much fun and really sustainable as long term exercise when you use it for transport so have fun :0)

Gosh, didn't intend for that to sound like a lecture! Maybe have a banana first :0)

I would go either an apple or a banana. You may only need it for a few fasts before you realise that your body is just fine doing the cycle without it. My first week fasting, I ate before a bushwalk, thinking I would need it. I now realise I don't. I still take an apple with me "just in case" but have never needed it.

Agree with all above - you will get used to exercising in a fasted state, and it will not take long. Last week I did 30 miles on my new bike the morning of a fast on just a cup of coffee, yesterday 17 miles of charity walk at a good pace with a similar lack of pre-fuelling. But a banana will perhaps give you moral support this time!

When I first started fasting I also had a touch of dizziness when cycling, but it stopped after the second week and now I cycle with no ill effects (actually I seem to have more energy). Make sure you are hydrated and your body will get used to it very quickly.

Hi, it's taken me a while to realise this, so I feel compelled to pass it on - it's really amazing how much exercise you can do and not need to have fuelled up on anything! I'm a cyclist also, and I used to always eat before a ride and then feel hungry after that and probably over eat that day, which is really not going to work for long term weight loss. I've also been doing gym workouts on fast days and have decided to try saving all calories for an evening meal, hoping I will sleep better if I have eaten.